Defendant has moved for an extension of time within which to serve the
answer.

CPLR 2004 provides that the court may upon good cause shown extend the time
fixed by any statute, rule or order for doing any act and the application for
such an extension may be made before or after the expiration of the time
fixed.

The claim in this matter was filed in August 2001 and defendant was to serve
and file an answer within 40 days of service of the claim upon it (Uniform Rules
for the Court of Claims §206.7). However, due to mishandling of the claim,
no answer was filed and served. Despite the passage of time, it does not appear
that the delay has prejudiced claimant in his ability to prosecute the claim.
Accordingly, the motion is granted and the time for defendant to serve and file
the answer is extended to fifteen days after service upon it of a copy of this
decision and order with notice of its entry.